Systems and methods for visualizing effects

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for visualizing various effects of consuming (e.g., inhaling) one or more substances, especially on the human brain and lungs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/909,634, filed on Oct. 2, 2019. This and all other extrinsicmaterials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporatedreference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that termprovided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies andthe definition of the term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is systems and methods that allow users,especially students, to visualize how consuming certain substancesaffect the human body, especially the brain and lungs.

BACKGROUND

Vaping has become increasingly popular, especially among our youth. Manyjunior high school and high school students are vaping nicotine andother substances, and even sneaking vaping devices into their schoolsusing what looks like normal hoodies and smart watches that hide vapingcomponents.

Substance inhalation systems and methods such as those described in U.S.Patent Application Publication 2018/0228990 and/or U.S. Pat. No.7,252,050 to Maury D. Cole are known and used in laboratory settings totest the effects of substances on animals such as mice, rats and othersmall rodents in a research laboratory setting. Unfortunately, there areno known systems or methods that allow young students to adequatelycontrol and visualize the effects of consuming harmful substances in aschool setting.

The present disclosure is directed toward one or more improved featuresidentified below, and to devices and systems that address theabove-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY

The inventive subject matter provides a visualization system comprising:a model of an organ or portion thereof comprising an inlet port and anoutlet port; a supply system for supplying a vaporized test liquid intothe inlet port; a first supply path between the first supply system andthe inlet port; and wherein the model is configured to show a firstvisual indicator based on the vaporized test liquid entering the model.

The first visual indicator can comprise, for example, a collection offluid/condensation, and/or one or more of a change in a color, a patternand a brightness of a light. The visual indicator(s) can illustrate to astudent or other user how inhaling a vaporized substance can damageorgans such as lungs and brains, and the impact shown may correlate tothe represented consumer's age, sex, weight, height, health, and/or anyother suitable factors. The model(s) can be representative of aconsumer's brain, lung, and/or any other suitable organ, and may besized and dimensioned to be substantially the same in size anddimensions of the represented user. For example, the height, widthand/or volume of the model of an organ can be within 20% or within 10%of the height, width and/or volume of an average young adult/adult'sorgan. The model may comprise adjustable components that allow the sizeof the model organ and/or components therein (e.g., chambers, lobes) tobe adjusted by a user and locked in place.

The supply system may comprise a vaporizer that vaporizes a test liquidinto a vaporized test liquid. The supply system may also comprise acontroller for controlling the supply of a vaporized test liquid and/orair into the model, and a liter per minute gauge or other flow ratemeasuring device.

The supply path may comprise a hose or hoses through which the vaporizedtest liquid flows from the vaporizer into the model of the organ.Exemplary supply paths include one or more hoses, such as a Y-shapedhose system with multiple hose arms.

A second supply path may extend between one or more outlets of the modeland a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump and a HEPA or other filter.The vacuum pump may be configured to draw ambient air and/or vaporizedtest fluid into the model when coupled to the outlets of the model viathe liter per minute gauge and/or the vaporizer and/or an air supply ofthe supply system. For example, the vacuum pump may be configured todraw in ambient air only when the vaporizer is turned off, and to drawin both ambient air and vaporized test fluid when the vaporizer isturned on. Air and/or vaporized test liquid exiting the model may bevacuumed through a HEPA filter before exiting the system.

The inventive subject matter also provides a visualization systemcomprising: a first model of a first organ or portion thereof comprisingan inlet port and an outlet port; a supply system for supplying avaporized test liquid and/or ambient air into the inlet port; a firstsupply path between the first supply system and the inlet port; a firstinput device communicatively coupled to at least one of the supplysystem and the first model; and wherein the first model is configured toshow a first visual indicator based on the vaporized test liquidentering the first model.

The system may further comprise a second model of a second organ,wherein the first input device is communicatively coupled to the secondmodel of the second organ. The second model may be configured to show asecond visual indicator based on a user input into the first inputdevice that corresponds to an amount or type of vaporized test liquidentering the first model and/or user information such as age, sex,weight, height, and/or health.

In some contemplated aspects, the system may comprise a computing deviceprogrammed with a curriculum relating to use of the first input device,the first supply system, and the first model. The curriculum can beassociated with a health institution, a research laboratory, and/or aschool/university.

One or more displays associated with at least one of the input deviceand the computing device may be configured to display a visual indicatorbased on a user input into the first input device that corresponds to anamount or type of vaporized test liquid entering the first model and/oruser information. The visual indicator or indicators may comprise amodified image of a user's face showing the impact of consumingsubstances on a user's appearance (in addition to the user's organ(s))displayed on a display of the input device or computing device. Thevisual indicator or indicators may additionally or alternativelycomprise a modified image, images and/or video of a lung or brain orother organ or model/representation thereof showing the impact ofconsuming substances on the organ.

In some preferred embodiments, the first model of a first organ is amodel of a lung and a second model of a second organ is a model of abrain. However, it should be appreciated that the models can compriserepresentations of any organ or organs for visualization purposes. Thetest liquid that is vaporized to form the vaporized test liquid cancomprise any substance to be tested (e.g., alcohol, nicotine,methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl (opioids), psychostimulants,and/or a poly drug.), or can be drug-free and include a test liquidrepresentative of one or more drugs.

A second supply path may extend between one or more outlets of the modeland a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump and a HEPA or other filter.The vacuum pump may be configured to draw ambient air and/or vaporizedtest fluid into the model via the liter per minute gauge and/or thevaporizer of the supply system. For example, the vacuum pump may beconfigured to draw in ambient air only when the vaporizer is turned off,and to draw in both ambient air and vaporized test fluid when thevaporizer is turned on. Any suitable vacuum pump may be used incontemplated systems. The air supply may be provided by ambient air, orfrom an air tank, a valve from a laboratory air source, or the like.

Other advantages and benefits of the disclosed compositions and methodswill be apparent to one of ordinary skill with a review of the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of various embodiments will be more fully understood byreference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposesonly:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a system of theinventive subject matter.

FIG. 1B illustrates the system of FIG. 1A showing the rear view of thelung model.

FIG. 1C illustrates the system of FIG. 1A showing the top view of thelung model.

FIG. 1D illustrates the system of FIG. 1A showing a side view of thelung model.

FIG. 1E illustrates the system of FIG. 1A with a clear illustration of asupply system and supply path.

FIG. 1F illustrates the system of FIG. 1A with the supply pathdisconnected from the inlets of the model.

FIG. 1G illustrates another view of the system of FIG. 1A showing thevacuum system.

FIG. 1H illustrates a bottom portion of the model of the system of FIG.1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a brain and skull model of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 2B illustrates the model of FIG. 2A with a top portion of the skullremoved.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a system of the inventivesubject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description, in connection with the accompanying drawings,is intended as a description of various embodiments and is not intendedto represent the only embodiments in which the disclosure may bepracticed. The detailed description includes specific details for thepurpose of providing a thorough understanding of the embodiments.However, it will be apparent that those skilled in the art will be ableto understand the disclosure without these specific details.

The present invention is generally directed towards visualizationsystems and methods for research and/or educational purposes. Eachvisualization system can comprise a model of an organ or portionthereof, a supply system that optionally includes a controller, and oneor more input devices and/or computing devices communicatively coupledto the model (e.g., wired or wirelessly). The model can be configured toemit or show one or more indicators based on one or more user inputs viathe input device and/or controller. Such systems advantageously allowusers to (a) select features of a test person whose organ is to berepresented in the model (e.g., age, weight, height, gender), (b) selecta substance and consumption features of the substance (e.g., mode ofconsumption, dose, dosage), and (c) visualize the changes that occur tothe organ when the selected substance is consumed by the test person viathe indicators. The changes that are represented can include indicatorsof short term effects, long term effects, and/or recovery.

The model of the organ can comprise a physical, three-dimensional modelof the organ, a digital representation of the organ shown on a displayscreen, or any other suitable representation. The indicators emitted onthe model are preferably visual, but other types of indicators arecontemplated, such as sounds and smells. Exemplary indicators include acondensation or collection of fluid, changes in a color, brightness, orpattern of light(s) to light emitting diodes (LEDs) placed on the model.It should be appreciated that the indicators may appear based on theuser inputs via input device and/or controller, and not necessarilybased on (in part or in whole) on the vaporized test liquid entering andpassing through the model.

Although the disclosure herein is generally directed to systemsincluding brain and/or lung models, it should be appreciated that themodel used in systems of the inventive subject matter can be of anyorgan where a user would benefit from visualizing the changes caused orlikely to be caused by consumption of a substance.

Any suitable controller, input and/or computing device can be used toselect features of the test person, the substance and consumptionfeatures, and/or any other aspects the user desires to be accounted forby the system in emitting the indicators. For example, the input devicecan comprise a tablet that is communicatively coupled to the model andincludes a display and touch screen. As other examples, input componentscan be part of a supply system, or a substance inhalation system thatincludes a chamber that houses the model or is otherwise communicativelycoupled to the model. The supply system can supply a vaporized substance(e.g., vaporized test liquid) into the model and/or a sealed chamberhousing the model based on the user input via a controller or inputdevice, which can cause or otherwise correlate with the indicatorsemitted by the model(s). The controller or input devices in someembodiments may be similar to the system described in U.S. Pat. No.7,252,050 and may incorporate standard software as provided by MedAssociates Inc. for selectively controlling and monitoring components ofthe supply or delivery system and exhaust system, as well as forselectively controlling timing and flow rates to the models andcollecting test data.

FIGS. 1A-1H illustrate a visualization system of the inventive subjectmatter. System 100 comprises a model of a lung 110 positioned on a stand150 including holder 190. Model of a lung 110 may be made from a clear,transparent or semi-transparent material that allows a user to visualizewhat is happening inside of the model when vaporized test liquid entersit via inlets 115 and exits via outlets 135.

Model of a lung 110 is configured to couple to a supply systemcomprising a vaporizer 160, controller 165 and liter per minute gauge180 via a supply path 125 that comprises a hose delivery system. Asillustrated, hose delivery system comprises multiple hose arms thatinclude ends 120 that securely couple to one, two or several inlets 115,a gauge 180 and a vaporizer 160. Viewed from a different perspective, ahose delivery system can comprise a single hose arm body and branch outinto multiple hose arms on one or both ends. In the illustrated example,the hose delivery system comprises a hose arm body extending between twoY-shaped ends having two hose arms each. A quick connect/disconnect maybe provided between the end of the hose or hose arms of the first supplypath and inlets 115.

Model of a lung 110 is also coupled to a vacuum system that comprises avacuum pump 170 and filter (e.g., HEPA filter) 175 via a second supplypath 130. Second supply path 130 comprises a hose system 130 thatincludes hose arms that securely couple to outlets 135 and the vacuumsystem. In the example illustrated, hose system 130 comprises a Y-shapedhose system wherein one hose arm couples to filter 175, which is coupledto vacuum pump 170, and two hose arms that each couple to an outlet ofthe model. When the vacuum pump 170 is on, air is sucked through themodel 110 via supply path 125, inlets 115, outlets 135, and secondsupply path 130 and is scrubbed through filter 175. When the vaporizer160 is also on, vacuum pump 170 sucks in air and vaporized test liquidthrough the model 110 via supply path 125, inlets 115, outlets 135, andthrough second supply path 130 where it is scrubbed through filter 175.Viewed from a different perspective, when the vacuum system is poweredon, clean ambient air is sucked in and through the lung. The air mayenter the supply path via the supply system, for example, via a port ofthe liter per minute gauge and/or an adjustable air vent from thevaporizer or eVape tank. When the vaporizer is also turned on (inaddition to the vacuum system or pump that is on). The vaporized testliquid and the ambient air are combined and pass through the model viathe supply paths. A quick connect/disconnect may be provided between theend of the hose or hose arms of the second supply path and outlets 135.

It should be appreciated that any suitable number of inlets and outletsmay be provided on a model. While the illustrated embodiment shows twoinlets and two outlets, it is contemplated that other models cancomprise at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, orany other suitable number of inlets, and at least 1, at least 2, atleast 3, at least 4, at least 5, or any other suitable number ofoutlets.

It should also be appreciated that a supply path can comprise anysuitable number of hoses and hose arms. For example, a supply path maycomprise multiple hoses that have one end that couples to the model andone end that couples to the supply system and/or vacuum system. Asanother example, a supply path can comprise a hose body that branchesout into multiple hose arms having ends that couple to the model, thesupply system and/or vacuum system. One or both ends of the hose bodycan branch out into multiple hose arms (e.g., at least 2, at least 3, atleast 4, at least 5 hose arms).

Further it should be appreciated that a system may comprise any suitablenumber of supply systems (e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, atleast 4, at least 5 or more), vaporizers (e.g., at least 1, at least 2,at least 3, at least 4, at least 5 or more), models (e.g., at least 1,at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5 or more), vacuum systems(e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5 ormore), controllers (e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least4, at least 5 or more), input devices (e.g., at least 1, at least 2, atleast 3, at least 4, at least 5 or more), and/or computing devices(e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5 ormore).

The model(s) through which the vaporized test liquid passes can comprisea model of a lung, and a user may view vaporized test liquid and airentering the lung model and forming a condensation. The condensation canbe representative of the liquid that stays in the lung as condensation(e.g., phlegm). Additionally or alternatively, the model can compriseLED or other lights 112, for example, disposed in, on or along themodel's trachea, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi,bronchioles, cardiac notch, superior lobe, middle lobe, inferior lobe,apex, or any other component of the lung model. The different componentsmay optionally be represented by different color LED lights. The usermay be able to view bright lights for a healthy lung, and components ofthe model may start to dim to represent portions of the lung that wouldturn black or otherwise deteriorate when consuming a vaporized testliquid in accordance with the user's inputs via controller, input deviceand/or computing device as further described in connection with FIG. 3.Additionally or alternatively, the lights may change color, light up ina pattern, change a pattern, or otherwise indicate a change in thehealth of the lung.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a skull and brain model 200 of the inventivesubject matter. Model 200 comprises a first component 210 and a secondcomponent 220 forming the model skull and housing brain model 230, whichoptionally includes LED lights 235.

The skull and brain model 200 may be configured to illustrate howvarious substances damages or otherwise affects a user's brain. Theskull and brain model 200 may be communicatively coupled to an inputdevice, computing device and/or controller, and configured to show anindication of an impact on the brain of a user that correlates with thevaporized test liquid entering the model of a lung or other organ. Forexample, the model can comprise LED or other lights 235, for example,disposed in, on or along the model's cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem,occipital lobe, parietal lobe, frontal lobe, or any other component ofthe brain model. The user may be able to view bright lights for ahealthy brain, and components of the model may start to dim to representportions of the brain that are damaged or otherwise deteriorate whenconsuming a vaporized test liquid in accordance with the user's inputsvia controller, input device and/or computing device. Additionally oralternatively, the lights may change color, light up in a pattern,change a pattern, or otherwise indicate a change in the health of thebrain.

While the disclosure herein is largely directed to visual indications oforgan health, all indications are contemplated, including for example,emitting a smell (e.g., the system may comprise a smell emittingcomponent on or coupled to the model that is controllable via controllerand/or input device), emitting a sound (e.g., the system may comprise aspeaker on or coupled to the model that is controllable via controllerand/or input device), changing a smell, and/or changing a sound based onthe health of the organ. One, two, three, four, five or even moreindicators can be shown or emitted based on a health of an organ that isbeing represented. For example, where a lung deteriorates due toinhalation of a substance, it is contemplated that there may be a visualindicator (e.g., condensation), a second visual indicator (e.g., dimmingof a light), a third sound indicator (e.g., slowing of a pulse), afourth smell indicator (e.g., emitting a rotting or unpleasant smell),or any combination thereof. The indicators can also indicate animprovement of a health of the organ represented, for example, where auser stops using a substance and begins to recover.

One contemplated use of systems of the inventive subject matter is in aneducation program for elementary schools, junior high schools, highschools, and/or colleges. The education program can provide acomprehensive understanding of various substances known to be addictiveand how they affect the human body. Such a program can bring awarenessby allowing students to learn about the short term and long term effectsof consuming harmful substances through interactive laboratoryexperiments. In this era, it is imperative that the next generation getshands on experience with addiction studies so that they are betterqualified to prevent the use of such substances for the future.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system of the inventive subject matter on a tabletop 390, which could be used in a classroom setting. System 300 includesthe components of system 100, including a model of a lung 310, a supplysystem comprising a controller 335, vaporizer 350 and liter per minutegauge 340, and one or more supply systems or hos systems 360. System 300further comprises a skull and brain model 320 similar to model 200 ofFIGS. 2A-2B, an input device 370, and a computing device 380.

System 300 is an exemplary interactive system through which students orother users can control administration of a vaporized test liquid andvisualize the impacts of such consumption on a brain, lung and/or otherorgans. The system may be used in a classroom setting where each studentor group of students works with a system and one or more test liquidsbased on a curriculum. Such systems may simulate experiments as theywould be conducted in universities or research institutes. The systemsmimic vaping of harmful substances, and can be used in experiments forvarious courses, including for example, mathematics and biology. Theuser may control the vape time, hits/cycle, drug type, drug calculation,watts, and any other factors for their experiments. One tablet (e.g.,input device 370) may be used to perform the experiments and/or adjustthe vaporizer settings (e.g., to input commands to cause the vaporizerto turn on/off, to deliver a vaporized test liquid of a specified dosageand dose, number of hits per hour, how long each hit lasts (e.g., 20-303-second hits per hour)). The vaporizer may comprise a well-knownvaporizer system (e.g., a Juul™ device), or may mimic a number ofdifferent vaping devices based on adjustment of the vape settings.Another tablet (e.g., computing device 380) may show the classroomcurriculum and/or show a visual or other indication(s) of drug use(e.g., by modifying an image of a user's face to show how a drug affectsthe user's appearance).

Computing device 380 may be wired or wirelessly connected to anetwork/internet, and may be configured to present a curriculum to auser. Input device 370 may be wired or wireless connected to a network,and may be communicatively coupled to the controller, the supply system,the vaporizer, the gauge, the computing device, the brain and skullmodel, the lung model, and/or the vacuum system. In some systems, thecomputing device and input device may comprise a single device (e.g., asingle tablet, laptop, computer) having all functionalities of thecomputing device and input device described herein. In some systems, thecomputing device and input device may comprise separate devicesoptionally connected to one another via a network.

The user may upload an image of a user (e.g., the user's face) via atleast one of the computing device 380 and input device 370, and may beable to visualize the changes to a user's face through drug use overtime. For example, with continuous drug use, the image may be modifiedto show a loss or change in teeth, undereye bags increasing in size ordarkness, wrinkles, or any other indication of the impact drug use hason users. Skull and brain model 320 may be communicatively coupled to atleast one of the input device and computing device such that the brainshows or emits indications of an impact the user selected drug has on abrain based on the user's inputs into the input device. The lung model310 and any other models of the system may similarly be communicativelycoupled to at least one of the computing device and the input device,for example, via a wired or wireless communication protocol (e.g.,Bluetooth, RFID, WiFi, internet communication) or any other suitablecommunication technology. User inputs may include, for example, anexperiment start date or time, an experiment length, the number of puffsper minute or hour, the length of each puff, the dosage of the substancein the e-liquid, total amount of the substance (e.g., nicotine) or othercomponent (e.g., propylene glycol) to be consumed over a period of time,wattage, amount of substance (e.g., nicotine) in a ml of e-vape liquid,the test substance (e.g., nicotine, alcohol, THC), and/or information onthe user (e.g., age, sex, health, weight, height), and may control thedelivery of the vaporized test substance into and through the lung orother model the supply system and vacuum system are coupled to.

Curriculum

Applicant has developed a curriculum for education of drug preventionthat incorporates mathematics, science, and physics. The courses in thecurriculum can teach students how the brain and lungs, and possiblyother organs, are affected using drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine,tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), psychostimulants nicotine, and Sufentanil.

A user (e.g., a student, a teacher) will be able to create and/or usetheir own model to study. The user will also be able to select featuresof the subject whose organ(s) are represented by the model(s) such asthe age, weight, height, educational background, and living environment.For example, students will be able to create a model representing anorgan of someone they know to make the studies more realistic. Thesefactors may be indicated by elements such as the size, shape, and/orlighting (e.g., brightness, color(s)) of the model of the organ. Theuser will also be able to select what substance(s) to study, anddetermine how it should be administered (e.g., quantity, frequency, formof consumption). The user can also make modifications to visualize theimpact changes to the substance(s) consumed, the amount, frequency, etc.has on the organ over the short term and long term. The curriculum isopen to several different scenarios that people experience in real life,for example, overdose, relapse, intermittent vaping, and so forth/ Thecurriculum may also provide instructions on how to deal with potentialemergencies and overdoses. For example, the curriculum may provideinstructions on when and how to administer Narcan, and show the affectsof administering Narcan on one or more organs and/or the user's face.

Computing Devices

The curriculum can be programmed into a computing device 380 such as atablet with an interactive interface and touch screen. The lesson orclass presented to the user can be based on the substance(s) selected.The curriculum portion of classes can be delivered through the tablet,with tests administered during and/or after each class using an inputdevice 370, models 310, 320, supply system (including 340, 335, 350),vacuum system and/or one or more supply paths (for example thosedescribed in connection with FIGS. 1A-1H).

The same or different computing device can be used as the input devicethat allows a user to make selections related to the model(s) and theadministration of the substance(s). The input device may be wired orwirelessly coupled to the supply system, vacuum system and/or model(s)such that user inputs via the input device directly or indirectly cause(a) vapor(s) to flow into the test chamber(s), and/or (b) model(s) toemit or otherwise show indicator(s). Additionally or alternatively, theinput device may be a part of the supply system. Additionally oralternatively, controller 335 of the supply system can control some orall operation of the supply system (e.g., amount, rate, concentration ofvaporized test liquid that enters and passes through model 310) whilethe input device causes the indicators of the models (310 and/or 320) tobe modified based on the user inputs via input device.

In some aspects, the computing devices and/or input devices may beconfigured to recognize a face or other biometric feature of a userbefore allowing the devices to be used.

Models

The supply paths, for examples supply paths identical to supply paths125 and 130) may be directly coupled to one or more models (e.g., lungmodel 310) via inlets and outlets. Additionally or alternatively, thesupply paths may be coupled to inhalation chambers housing the model(s).For example, substance inhalation systems and methods such as thosedescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2018/0228990 and/orU.S. Pat. No. 7,252,050 to Maury D. Cole can be used to house one ormore models.

The brain and lung models can respond to the various selections, andemit indicators to allow a user to visualize how a substance affects thebrain and/or lung and/or other organ. Viewed from a differentperspective, the tablets can have interactive, selectable, and/oradjustable “bio” parameters relatable to the brain/lung function basedon drug selected. Biologically relevant “patient” vitals can berepresentative of the drug(s), dose, and/or delivery. Biologicallyrelevant “patient” status (dopamine response, vegetative state, celldeath, stroke, clot, etc.) can also be represented by visual or otherindicators such as lights.

Advantageously, students can use the system to create their model andcompare it to other models. They may be able to see, for example, thedifferences in the ability to recover based on the age, gender, orbackground of the subject represented in the model. If viewing twomodels with one brain representing a 35 year old and anotherrepresenting a 25 year old, the student can see that the brain cells atan older age do not rejuvenate after strenuous drug use while braincells at a younger age does. Brain cells of a younger person wouldgenerally rejuvenate faster, but would also die off faster as they dodrugs longer when they get older. This can be seen using a system of theinventive subject matter. Once the brain and/or the lung has hadnumerous hits of particular drugs, the mental and the physical effectsof these drugs can be seen (e.g., a color, brightness, or patternshowing the brain is dying or dead; a color, brightness, or patternshowing the lungs are turning black and/or that there is moisture in thelungs from overuse of vaporized drugs, some of which may remain in thelungs).

The quality of the models is important to the inventive subject matteras these are what the user will look at to see what affect substanceshave on a person's brain, lung, or other organ. Students will be able tolook at a model of the brain and the lungs with all of the parts,specifically the parts that are most affect by inhaled drug use. Theywill see the long-term effects of brain cells that are lost, and howmuch actually gets rejuvenated based on various factors. Somecontemplated systems can come with a simulated brain model and asimulated lung model, and each component of the model can be shownand/or labeled (e.g., trachea, primary bronchi, secondary bronchi,tertiary bronchi, bronchioles, cardiac notch, superior lobe, middlelobe, inferior lobe, apex of lung; cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem,occipital lobe, parietal lobe, frontal lobe, brain cells of brain).

The brain model can be a clear, 3D printed anatomical version of thebrain with associated LED lighting to reflect cell health. The lightsmay be designated to various structures of the brain. The models can besplit into different chambers, portions and/or hemispheres foranatomical likeness. In some embodiments, the lights will highlightwhich parts of the brain are most affected by consumption of thesubstance(s) based on the parameters selected. The brain study can bepaired with an interactive lecture through the tablet or other computingdevice. The LED brain model can interact with the light density meter toreflect higher dosage and overdose situations. States such as seizures,a vegetative state, compartmental cell death, strokes, aneurisms and soforth can be represented via the brain model. Dopamine receptors,represented by LEDs (e.g., LEDs 235) can light up signaling addition ordependency on the substance. Users will also be able to look at themodels once it goes through rehabilitation after overuse of a substance(e.g., lights becoming brighter or changing back to a healthy color), aswell as what happens after a relapse.

The lung model can similarly be a clear 3D printed anatomical version ofthe lung with associated LED lighting to reflect cell health (see FIG. 3below as an example). Each of the models may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 oreven more components that removably couple to one another for easycleaning, repair and/or replacement of internal components of themodels. With vaporized test liquid passing through the lung model, auser can visualize how much vapor turns into liquid that does not comeout of the lungs measured over time.

Similar biologically relevant responses can be included as describedabove in connection with exemplary brain models. The lung model can alsoshow what part(s) of the lung inhaled substances affect most, and whattype of damage is done (e.g., scarring, pneumonia, pneumothorax).

A vapor can be delivered to one or more models, for example a lung model(or test chambers they may optionally be housed in). Vapors of differentcolors can optionally be used to differentiate which substance is beingused or represented. For example, brown vapor can be used to representheroin, black vapor can be used to represent nicotine, and so forth. Asnoted above, the system may include or be coupled with an input deviceand/or controller that allow users to control the delivery of the vapor,select features of a test person whose organ is to be represented in themodel, and/or select substance and consumption features of thesubstance. Based on the user inputs, the user can see vapor representingthe substance selected enter the chamber where the model of an organ ishoused, and see how the vapor affects the organ via the indicatorsemitted or presented.

The Vaporizer

Any suitable vaporizer or vaporizers may be used in systems of theinventive subject matter, including those described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication 2018/0228990 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,050 toMaury D. Cole. In some embodiments, a replaceable cartridge contains awick soaked in e-liquid containing the substance to be tested or asubstance representative of a drug to be tested, such as nicotine orother drug, as well as a carrier such as propylene glycol (PG) orvegetable glycerol (VG) which creates an aerosolized vapor or smokecontaining nicotine, in a similar manner to an e-cigarette. Cartridgesmay be of more robust construction than typical e-cigarette cartridges.They may be pre-filled with the liquid or the e-vape liquid containingthe test substance or substance representative of a drug may be injectedthrough an open top of the cartridge. After filling, a quickconnect/disconnect fitting may be attached to the top or other portionfor releasable connection to a hose, such as one arm of Y-shaped hose asseen in FIGS. 1A-1H. The vaporizer and/or a controller coupled to thevaporizer may include dials or buttons for powering and turning off thevaporizer, and controlling voltage for atomization to control the doseof atomized substance such as nicotine or other drugs. A display windowmay be provided on the controller and/or vaporizer to indicate currentvoltage.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1H, a selected one of the cartridge outletsmay be connected to one side of a y-splitter hose (of the first supplypath) via quick connect/disconnect fitting to provide drug infused vaporvia suction to the inlets 115 when outlets 135 are connected to a vacuumsource, and a liter per minute gauge may be connected to the other sideof y-splitter to provide clean ambient air to inlets 115. When thevaporizer is turned off, ambient air only is supplied to model 110 Theoutlet of y-splitter may be connected to model inlets 115 via amale/female quick disconnect or any other coupling mechanism. A hose ofthe second supply system may be connected from model outlets 135 to theinlet of a filter (e.g., HEPA filter) 175, and the filter may beconnected via a vacuum hose to a vacuum outlet of air compressor orvacuum pump 170. The air outlet of air compressor or vacuum pump 170 mayexhaust via outlet hoses (not shown). The vacuum pressure createssuction at the outlets 135 of the model 110, which allows clean airregulated by liter per minute gauge to enter the model via air inlets115 through a hose arm of the supply path hose (Y-splitter). At the sametime, drug containing or no drug containing vapor or smoke may also bedrawn into the chamber from the outlets of the vaporizer through theother side of the supply path hose (Y-splitter) by suction when the vapebox (and vacuum source) is turned on. Air combined with vaporized testliquid travels through the model and exits via outlets 135. The mixtureexiting the model passes through a filter before exiting the system. Thecontroller and/or an input device may be connected to the vaporizer,vacuum pump or air compressor, and/or liter per minute gauge via wiresor wireless communication for adjustment of the concentration of vaporin the drug delivered via supply system and control of the deliveryperiod. When the vaporizer is turned off, the system continues todeliver air drawn into model 110.

The Vapor

The vapor used in the classroom experiments can be substance-free andnon-toxic. Students can “mix” their own “drug” or substance into a baseliquid (e.g., vegetable glycerin (VG)/propylene glycol (PG) mixture).The substance can have designated coloring based on the “drug” selected.

Contemplated substances to be represented by the vapor include, amongother things, alcohol, nicotine, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine,fentanyl (opioids), psychostimulants, and poly drugs.

The supply path may connect with the inlet(s) on the lung model suchthat the vaporized test liquid enters the model of the lung in the sameway it would go through bronchioles of the lung. The bottom or otherportion of the lung model can be where the vacuum hose is connected tosuck vapors through both lungs before exiting via the supply path hoseand passing through the HEPA filter.

Thus, specific examples of visualization systems and methods of theinventive subject matter have been disclosed. It should be apparent,however, to those skilled in the art that many more modificationsbesides those already described are possible without departing from theinventive concepts herein. While examples and variations of the manyaspects of the invention have been disclosed and described herein, suchdisclosure is provided for purposes of explanation and illustrationonly. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims. For example, not all of thecomponents described in the systems or steps described in the methodsare necessary, and the invention may include any suitable combinationsof the described components and steps. Accordingly, embodiments areintended to exemplify alternatives, modifications, and equivalents thatmay fall within the scope of the claims. The invention, therefore,should not be limited, except to the following claims, and theirequivalents.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “animplementation” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment or implementation. Thus, appearances of thephrases “in an embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodimentor a single exclusive embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics described herein may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more embodiments or one or moreimplementations.

Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, allterms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistentwith the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising”should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps ina non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with otherelements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Wherethe specification claims refer to at least one of something selectedfrom the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should beinterpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N,or B plus N, etc.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary”is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some”refers to one or more.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodimentsherein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and doesnot pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed.No language in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise.

Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B,or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and“A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B,and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiplesof C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,”“one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or moreof A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be Aonly, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, whereany such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B,or C.

All structural and functional equivalents to the components of thevarious aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known orlater come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A visualization system, comprising: a model of an organ or portion thereof comprising an inlet port and an outlet port; a supply system for supplying a vaporized test liquid into the inlet port; a first supply path between the first supply system and the inlet port; and wherein the model is configured to show a first visual indicator based on the vaporized test liquid entering the model.
 2. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein the supply system comprises a vaporizer, a controller, and a liter per minute gauge.
 3. The visualization system of claim 2, further comprising a second supply path and a vacuum system, wherein the second supply path extends between the outlet port and the vacuum system.
 4. The visualization system of claim 3, wherein the vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump and a HEPA filter.
 5. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein the first visual indicator comprises a condensation.
 6. The visualization system of claim 1, wherein the first visual indicator comprises at least one of a color, a pattern and a brightness of a light.
 7. The visualization system of claim 4, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to draw ambient air into the model via the liter per minute gauge.
 8. The visualization system of claim 7, wherein the vacuum pump is further configured to draw the vaporized test fluid from the vaporizer into the model when the vaporizer is on.
 9. A visualization system, comprising: a first model of a first organ or portion thereof comprising an inlet port and an outlet port; a supply system for supplying a vaporized test liquid into the inlet port; a first supply path between the first supply system and the inlet port; a first input device communicatively coupled to at least one of the supply system and the first model; and wherein the first model is configured to show a first visual indicator based on the vaporized test liquid entering the first model.
 10. The visualization system of claim 9, further comprising a second model of a second organ, wherein the first input device is communicatively coupled to the second model of the second organ.
 11. The visualization system of claim 10, wherein the second model is configured to show a second visual indicator based on a user input into the first input device that corresponds to an amount or type of vaporized test liquid entering the first model.
 12. The visualization system of claim 9, further comprising a computing device programmed with a curriculum relating to use of the first input device, the first supply system, and the first model.
 13. The visualization system of claim 12, wherein a display associated with at least one of the input device and the computing device is configured to display a second visual indicator based on a user input into the first input device that corresponds to an amount or type of vaporized test liquid entering the first model, and wherein the second visual indicator is a modified image of a user's face.
 14. The visualization system of claim 9, wherein the first organ is a lung, and the second organ is a brain.
 15. The visualization system of claim 9, wherein a test liquid that that is vaporized to form the vaporized test liquid comprises at least one of nicotine, a methamphetamine, and a tetrahydrocannabidiol.
 16. The visualization system of claim 9, wherein the vaporized test liquid is representative of a drug but does not comprise the drug.
 17. The visualization system of claim 9, further comprising a second supply path and a vacuum system, wherein the second supply path extends between the outlet port and the vacuum system.
 18. The visualization system of claim 17, wherein the vacuum system is configured to draw ambient air into the model via the supply system.
 19. The visualization system of claim 17, wherein the vacuum system is further configured to draw the vaporized test fluid from the supply system through the inlet port and outlet port of the first model when the vaporizer is on.
 20. The visualization system of claim 9, wherein the first model comprises a component shaped as a human lung, and wherein the second model comprises a component shaped as a brain. 